Dentures used to be the default tooth replacement option for patients, despite their inadequacies, They can be uncomfortable to wear, slip sometimes when you're eating, and need to be adjusted every few years or so. Dental implants are now the first choice for many cases of tooth loss. This effective and long-term tooth replacement treatment is available at Smile By Stone Family & Cosmetic Dentistry in Lansing, MI.

When Your Smile Is Incomplete...
A missing tooth can be difficult to tolerate, especially when you are a very active and social person. You can’t eat all of your favorite foods because it’s more difficult to chew them. Pronouncing certain phrases and words is also a challenge. Also, the longer you allow a gap to remain in your smile, the higher the chance that other teeth will start to move around. For these reasons and more, completing your smile after tooth loss should be a top priority.

The Best Way to Fill the Gaps
A denture device can only fill a smile gap superficially (above the gumline). When you have a dental implant, it's like having a whole new tooth in your mouth. A titanium device is surgically inserted into the gumline so that it can fuse with the bone tissue in your jaw. After the healing process is complete (usually a few months), your Lansing, MI dentist will attach a permanent crown to the implant. This procedure is now the preferred way of filling in spaces due to missing teeth.

Dental Implant Care
Successfully caring for a dental implant is just like caring for your natural teeth. Do whatever possible to prevent recurring tooth loss. Here are a few tips:

- Check your gum line frequently for signs of gum disease, which is another threat to the stability of your dental implant. Watch for pockets around the teeth and bleeding when you brush.
- Floss frequently— at least once before bed.
- Wear a mouth guard if you like to play contact sports, and a night guard if you tend to grind your teeth while sleeping.

Complete Your Smile
If you have a missing tooth that needs to be replaced, complete the puzzle with by getting a dental implant at Smile by Stone in Lansing, MI. Contact Dr. Scott Stone at 517-482-5546 to set an appointment to discuss whether you are an ideal patient for this tooth replacement procedure.